Today I had prepared to visit Bukit Timah Nature Reserve but
thunder storms were forecast and advice is not to walk to the summit where the
fig tree stands. Therefore plan “B” was implemented with a MRT journey to the
Chinese and Japanese Gardens.
Both gardens are known for holding flycatchers during the
migratory period and maybe a few would have remained beyond this period. The
day turned out to be better than expected with two species that I had put into
the bonus bird category prior to the trip.
I was making my way slowly around the path opposite the
pagoda when a jogger approached me and described a multi coloured bird that had
caused a great deal of interest amongst the local birders. I was making my way
towards the area he had described when he stopped a second time and said he
would take me to the group of people that were watching the bird. Fantastic!
On arrival there was a small group of people staking out a
small area beyond some trees. I was just preparing for a lengthy stakeout when
a Blue Winged Pitta hopped through a hole in a fence and bounced up onto a
small slab of stone… Crikey my heart was racing as I fired of some shots of the
bird who seemed moderately curious as to why these people were poised with
cameras at the ready!
The Pitta then turned tail and bounced back through the
fence and out of site. The grin on my face said it all words were not required
as the locals gave me the thumbs up before continuing the vigil!
I stayed for a second view of the bird before making my way
across to a pond which had another couple of birders firing of pictures of a
bird in the bamboo. A Savanna Nightjar was asleep untroubled by the attention
it was receiving.
I had seen another bird as I entered the gardens it too was
sleeping on a branch near the bridge. This was turning out to be quite a day.
Two nightjars visible during daylight hours wow!
I had also caught up with an Asian Koel which was in the
trees behind a field near the MRT station. This species had eluded me the previous
day with several calling birds tormenting me with their calls! I should have realized
then the day was going to be favourable!
A Brahminy Kite was the reward for keeping one eye on the
skies. The bird circling overhead as it searched for a meal.
The rest of the day not surprisingly lacked flycatchers but
an Asian Brown Flycatcher was found and it was not troubled by my presence as
it posed for the camera.
Herons, bittern and egret were also very obliging with a
Grey Heron heronry in the Japanese garden. Chinese Pond Herons were scattered
around the entrance to the Chinese Garden. The birds were in non breeding
plumage but displayed their splendid white wings during flight.
A Black Crowned Night Heron was also observed in flight
across one of the waterways.
I played a game of cat and mouse with a Yellow Bittern who
was extremely camera shy creeping along a thin area of reeds as I snuck from
tree to tree to obtain photos.
A Collared Kingfisher put in a brief appearance whilst I was
observing the Bittern.
A Striated Heron was not as shy as it approached me somewhat
carefully as I took a break in one of the pagodas on the edge of a pond.
Sunbirds were well represented with Copped Throated, Brown
Throated, Crimson and Olive backed all present.
I have noticed that the pigeons and doves are more colourful
that at home with numerous Pink Necked Green Pigeon and a small group of Pied
Imperial Pigeons near the main entrance.
Even a bathroom break turned into an event with two Ashy
Tailorbirds squabbling at the entrance to the block. It must be breeding
season!
What a day that turned out to be and as Floki from Vikings
would say: The "birding" gods have looked favourably on me today. Woo Hoo!
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